cabar.asia
"The statistics aren't changing". How does Tajikistan struggle with alcoholism?
Authorities say that the number of people addicted to alcohol is not decreasing in the country. But sociologists believe the trend is on the wane and attribute it to the growing religiosity of society and migration.
photo: nypost.com
photo: nypost.com
From entertainment to alcohol addiction
Lutfullo Karimov (name changed for ethical reasons), a 48-year-old from Dushanbe, first tried alcohol at a high school graduation party and now cannot quit drinking. He told CABAR.asia that he did it out of youthful curiosity and then his actions led to many mishaps.
"At the time I didn't know the trap I was falling into because no one told me it was bad and would affect my whole life. Now it's too late, I don't need anyone's advice because I probably won't be able to quit drinking anymore. It's better to tell other young people not to do it, that it will lead to the destruction of their life and family," Lutfullo began.
He said that although he never consumed alcohol until after high school, he was "encouraged" to drink by his classmates.
"The first time I drank alcohol, a small amount of it affected me a lot. I became very drunk. I thought it gave me new strength," our interlocutor told us.
He said that at first he drank for fun, but then it became a habit, and now he can't imagine any get-together without alcohol.
Lutfullo Karimov (name changed for ethical reasons), a 48-year-old from Dushanbe, first tried alcohol at a high school graduation party and now cannot quit drinking. He told CABAR.asia that he did it out of youthful curiosity and then his actions led to many mishaps.
"At the time I didn't know the trap I was falling into because no one told me it was bad and would affect my whole life. Now it's too late, I don't need anyone's advice because I probably won't be able to quit drinking anymore. It's better to tell other young people not to do it, that it will lead to the destruction of their life and family," Lutfullo began.
He said that although he never consumed alcohol until after high school, he was "encouraged" to drink by his classmates.
"The first time I drank alcohol, a small amount of it affected me a lot. I became very drunk. I thought it gave me new strength," our interlocutor told us.
He said that at first he drank for fun, but then it became a habit, and now he can't imagine any get-together without alcohol.
"Fired because of the vodka"
He said that when he went to Russia to work in 2009, he also was drinking
"In a foreign country, where I missed my family and friends, the only relief for my pain was vodka. Although I used to drink only on weekends, now I don't look forward to weekends and always keep a bottle of vodka in the fridge and drink 100-200 grams every night," Karimov added.
He said that since 2009 he has been an addict, and even his closest friends couldn't take it anymore. After returning home in November 2012, Lutfullo was treated for some time for alcoholism, but to no avail.
"I didn't drink for about two months. At a friend's wedding, I drank again and became addicted to alcohol. Drinking became an integral part of my life. I used to drink 100-150 grams every day. Now sometimes it gets to the point where I am emptying a whole bottle," he said.
photo: alkostop116.ru
"In a foreign country, where I missed my family and friends, the only relief for my pain was vodka. Although I used to drink only on weekends, now I don't look forward to weekends and always keep a bottle of vodka in the fridge and drink 100-200 grams every night," Karimov added.
He said that since 2009 he has been an addict, and even his closest friends couldn't take it anymore. After returning home in November 2012, Lutfullo was treated for some time for alcoholism, but to no avail.
"I didn't drink for about two months. At a friend's wedding, I drank again and became addicted to alcohol. Drinking became an integral part of my life. I used to drink 100-150 grams every day. Now sometimes it gets to the point where I am emptying a whole bottle," he said.
photo: alkostop116.ru
"I behave better than the people who take bribes"
Karimov says he regrets his behavior but sees no way out. Because if at first he drank out of curiosity and to pass the time, now he drinks out of grief caused by alcoholism and censure from his family.
When asked if he knew that drinking was a moral and religious sin, he said:
"I'm better than officials and religious men who are involved in corruption and harassment. My only pain is my soul."
Karimov says he regrets his behavior but sees no way out. Because if at first he drank out of curiosity and to pass the time, now he drinks out of grief caused by alcoholism and censure from his family.
When asked if he knew that drinking was a moral and religious sin, he said:
"I'm better than officials and religious men who are involved in corruption and harassment. My only pain is my soul."
Statistics have not changed significantly
Statistics on alcoholism in Tajikistan over the past four years do not show significant changes. There was a slight decline in 2019, but during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the numbers began to rise again. On average, statistics show the presence of alcohol addiction in just over 6,000 Tajikistanis. The upward trend is observed in almost all regions of the country.
According to psychologist Mahmud Kabiri, there are several reasons for the decrease in alcoholism in Tajik society.
"Our culture does not respect people who abuse alcohol, they quickly become outcasts," Kabiri said.
photo: pexels.com
According to psychologist Mahmud Kabiri, there are several reasons for the decrease in alcoholism in Tajik society.
"Our culture does not respect people who abuse alcohol, they quickly become outcasts," Kabiri said.
photo: pexels.com
According to him, society's aversion to alcoholics is expressed on several levels: ideological, when it is believed that " alcoholics go to hell," social, when women are always "at war" with the "drunkard husband," etc.
"There are always ways in society by which people's negative emotions can be neutralized. One of them is the use of alcohol. Promotion in the media of a culture of proper alcohol consumption can help overcome the negative consequences associated with alcoholism," Kabiri says.
"There are always ways in society by which people's negative emotions can be neutralized. One of them is the use of alcohol. Promotion in the media of a culture of proper alcohol consumption can help overcome the negative consequences associated with alcoholism," Kabiri says.
On January 19, 2022, the Statistical Agency of Tajikistan reported that alcohol production in Tajikistan in the first 11 months of this year decreased by 11.7% compared to the same period in 2020. According to the statistics, the country produced more than 443 thousand liters of alcohol in January-November 2021.
The cause: Migration or Islamization of society?
The Republican Narcology Center did not specify the main causes of alcoholism but reported that since the 2000s, Tajikistan has seen a decline in alcohol consumption. They did not comment on the reasons for the decline.
However, a former employee of the center who now treats alcoholics, speaking to CABAR.asia on condition of anonymity, said there are several factors contributing to the decline in alcoholism.
"First, alcohol has become more expensive in Tajikistan and so people think it is better to buy other food instead of alcohol. Another reason is migration. Most of our able-bodied population, which is the main consumer of alcohol, is in Russia," said our interlocutor.
According to him, the problem of alcoholism is more widespread among the older generation.
Sociologist Akmal Makhmudov, on the other hand, believes that the main reason for the decline of alcoholism is the growth of religiosity in Tajikistan.
However, a former employee of the center who now treats alcoholics, speaking to CABAR.asia on condition of anonymity, said there are several factors contributing to the decline in alcoholism.
"First, alcohol has become more expensive in Tajikistan and so people think it is better to buy other food instead of alcohol. Another reason is migration. Most of our able-bodied population, which is the main consumer of alcohol, is in Russia," said our interlocutor.
According to him, the problem of alcoholism is more widespread among the older generation.
Sociologist Akmal Makhmudov, on the other hand, believes that the main reason for the decline of alcoholism is the growth of religiosity in Tajikistan.
"In recent years young people in Tajikistan have become more religious, and anyone who drinks alcohol is looked upon with contempt. In turn, those who drink try to drink secretly and rarely appear in public. They also drink at weddings, birthday parties, and other celebrations. In short, they try to hide their behavior from people," Mahmudov said.
Our protagonist Lutfullo Karimov also says that his children and relatives have been speaking out against his drinking in recent years and urging him in every possible way to become a prayerful and pious person.
"In recent years the consumption of alcohol in society has decreased significantly. For example, today none of my children drink alcohol and are against my drinking. They tell me not to drink at all, even on holidays. Many of those who drank in the past have traveled to Hajj," Karimov said.
"In recent years the consumption of alcohol in society has decreased significantly. For example, today none of my children drink alcohol and are against my drinking. They tell me not to drink at all, even on holidays. Many of those who drank in the past have traveled to Hajj," Karimov said.
Doctor: "People with alcohol addiction run away after only two or three days of treatment"
At the same time, Tajik physicians speak of two possible reasons for the population's drinking: one is mental illness and the other is entertainment.
"Young people who fail to achieve their goals, or who face big problems, are prone to drink alcohol. Such young people are also called weak. Second, when a group of young people gathers in a club, there are always alcoholics among them, who either make young people drink or encourage them by their own example. This is the second factor, which begins with desire or imitation and gradually becomes a habit," said Mukhammad Hodjaamirov, a Tajik doctor who works at a medical center in Dushanbe.
Another Tajik doctor, Firdavs Raupov, said drinking especially affects the health of teenagers and young people, whose treatment is difficult and burdensome, and excessive alcohol consumption inhibits their mental development. People with alcohol addiction approach him, but they run away after two or three days of treatment.
Photo: lacigaleclub.com
"Young people who fail to achieve their goals, or who face big problems, are prone to drink alcohol. Such young people are also called weak. Second, when a group of young people gathers in a club, there are always alcoholics among them, who either make young people drink or encourage them by their own example. This is the second factor, which begins with desire or imitation and gradually becomes a habit," said Mukhammad Hodjaamirov, a Tajik doctor who works at a medical center in Dushanbe.
Another Tajik doctor, Firdavs Raupov, said drinking especially affects the health of teenagers and young people, whose treatment is difficult and burdensome, and excessive alcohol consumption inhibits their mental development. People with alcohol addiction approach him, but they run away after two or three days of treatment.
Photo: lacigaleclub.com
MIA for preventive purposes: be on your guard!
Authorities in Tajikistan say they are unable to stop people from drinking alcohol, but at the same time, they send those who violate public order to a special treatment center.
This was confirmed by the Tajik Ministry of Internal Affairs, which said it was conducting campaigns to inform the population about the dangers of alcohol abuse.
"We also urge the population to get medical help as soon as possible. We cannot force citizens not to drink alcohol. Those who sleep on the street or violate public order after drinking alcohol will be detained and taken to raion police station or special sobering-up stations," the Tajik Interior Ministry press office said.
Authorities in Tajikistan say they are unable to stop people from drinking alcohol, but at the same time, they send those who violate public order to a special treatment center.
This was confirmed by the Tajik Ministry of Internal Affairs, which said it was conducting campaigns to inform the population about the dangers of alcohol abuse.
"We also urge the population to get medical help as soon as possible. We cannot force citizens not to drink alcohol. Those who sleep on the street or violate public order after drinking alcohol will be detained and taken to raion police station or special sobering-up stations," the Tajik Interior Ministry press office said.
There is only one detox center in Dushanbe. A year ago, Sobir Dzhabborzoda, the center's director, said the average number of "guests'' per day was 2 to 3, and sometimes 7 to 8. And now the situation is the same. According to him, a person is kept in a room from 3 to 24 hours a day until he wakes up completely. Violation of public order is punishable by a fine of 13 somoni and 75 dirams (more than $1.15).
This material was prepared within the framework of the IWPR project "Amplify, Verify, Engage: Information for Democratisation and Good Governance in Eurasia", funded by the Norwegian Foreign Ministry, and the mentoring program of the "Development of New Media and Digital Journalism in Central Asia" project, implemented by the Institute for War Reporting and Peace (IWPR) with the support of the UK Government. The content of this publication does not reflect the official views of IWPR, the Norwegian Foreign Office, or the UK Government.
